CEEP welcomes the conclusion of the Trilogue Negociations on 4th Railway Package

As the Council of the European Union approved the conclusion of the negotiations on the market pillar of the 4th Railway Package, CEEP welcomes an agreement helping to further boost the attractiveness of rail for passengers while increasing legal certainty for both authorities and public transport operators.

Although additional steps concerning social conditions for all market participants could have been taken, CEEP welcomes the overall balanced compromise that does not opt for a “one size fits it all” approach. It leaves competent authorities the choice for the best solutions according to the characteristics of their respective network, among others by maintaining flexibility on awarding procedures. Moreover, it is satisfying that considerable impact on bus, tram and metro services could be prevented in the final trilogue agreement.

Valeria Ronzitti, CEEP General Secretary, highlighted: “Public services’ providers hope that after long years of debates, the agreement brings back a clear legal framework for public transport operators. It takes on board most of CEEP members’ concerns and enhances the future quality of public rail transport.